Automatic tree injecting device



May 22, 1962 D A. CARSON AUTOMATIC TREE INJECTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 14,1960 Douglas A. Carson INVENTOR.

By g 3% United States Patent Ofilice 3,635,370 Patented May 22, 1962Filed Dec. 14, 1960, Ser. No. 75,706 17 Claims. (Cl. 47--57.5)

This invention relates to an improved manually usable automaticallyvalved fluid injector for injecting a selected fluid into trees and thelike and through the medium of which the tree may be killed or,alternatively, cultivated and caused to grow in a now well known manner.

Tree injectors are old and well known. Generally speaking, prior artadaptations are characterized by a fluid containing barrel which islifted and forcibly thrust toward the base or" the target-tree. Asuitably constructed bark penetrating and cleaving blade on the leadingend of the barrel is. rammed against the selected spot on the tree. Theblade is made to allow the intended chemical fluid to be shot into thecambium layer of the tree.

The Calhoun Patent 2,687,598 discloses an injector characterized by anelongated barrel or casing having a penetrating blade on the lower orleading end, a valve in the casing positioning between the fluid storagecham her and the blade, with a plug threaded in the lower end of thebarrel and a spring-loaded ball valve having a stem extending upwardlythrough an opening in the plug and surrounded by an adjustable coilspring.

The instant invention is characterized, broadly speaking, by a similararrangement of component parts.

It is an object of the instant invention to structurally, functionallyand in other ways improve upon the device of the Calhoun patent.

An important feature of this invention resides in the provision of apractical and highly efficient thrust-responsive valve means carried byand removably mounted on the upper portion of a blade and comprising awell embodying a cup having an opening at its bottom, a sleeveadjustably connected to the rim of the cup, a plug screwed into theupper end of the sleeve and having a valve seat, an open ended tubehaving a lower end slidingly mounted in and projecting below saidopening, said tube providing a fluid trapping and measuring cylinder andhaving an intake port between upper and lower ends, a ball valveinterposed between the upper end of the tube and said valve seat, and athrust-responsive coil spring encircling said tube and spring-tensioningthe upper end and said ball against said seat.

It should also be noted that the tube which defines the fluid receivingand storing and measuring cylinder has its upper end flanged that is,provided with a flange which flares outwardly and defines a bell mouthor seat. The lower half portion of the ball valve is seated in this bellmouth and the flange itself provides a stop for the upper convolution ofthe coil spring surrounding the tube or cylinder.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein lke numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation on a small scale showing an automatictree injector constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view with parts in section and elevation taken onthe vertical line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the unique valve means orassembly; and

FIG. 4 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

The vertically elongated barrel or casing is denoted by the numeral 6and comprises a piece of pipe of suitable cross-section and length theupper end of which is screw threaded at 8 to accommodate a readilyapplicable and removable closing cap 10. This arrangement facilitatesfilling the chamber of the barrel with the desired fluid (for eitherkilling or cultivating the tree). The lower screw threaded end 12 screwsinto the internal threads at the upper part of a reducer coupling 14.The internal screw threads 16 at the bottom of the coupling accommodatescrew threads 18 on the upper neck of the penetrating and cleaving blade20. This blade is dished transversely and is of a general rectangularform in front elevation. The enlarged passage 22 merges at 24 into arestricted discharge port 26 centrally located in relation to the dishedsurface 28 just above the arcuate axe-like cutting edge 30. The neck isalso internally screw threaded as at 32 to permit the insertable andremovable valve assembly to be adjustably mounted in the neck. Thus theblade is a direct mount for the valve assembly. This valve assembly ischaracterized primarily by an upper component part or sleeve 34 and alower component part or cup 36. The sleeve has a smooth body portion 38and is internally screw threaded at 40 to accommodate the screw threads42 on the nut-like plug 44. This plug has a central passage 46 and abeveled funnel-like mouth 48. The bottom of the plug is recessed toaccommodate a washer (FIG. 2) and this washer 50 provides a seat for aball check valve 52. The external screw threads 54 on the lower end ofthe sleeve are screwed into the threads 32 of the neck. Internal screwthreads are provided at the bottom of the sleeve to accommodate screwthreads 56 at the exterior top portion of the cup. The bottom of the cuphas a flange 58 to accommodate a washer 60 as seen in FIG. 2. The cupportion depends into the passage 22. The upper half portion of the valveassembly is confined in the chamber portion of the coupling 14. Anopen-ended tube denoted by the numeral 62 provides a fluid trapping andmeasuring cylinder. The tube is provided intermediate its ends on oneside with a fluid intake port 64 and the upper end is flanged and isflared to provide a bell mouth 66 for the ball 52. An expansion typecoil spring 63 encircles the tube or cylinder and the lower end issupported by the cup '36 and the upper end bears against the bell mouthpermitting the bell mouth to serve as a stop shoulder for the spring.

The barrel is smooth exteriorly and is free from handles, levers orother projections. This makes it possible to use this implement in thickbrush where projections on the handle would interfere with propermanipulation thereof.

With respect to the valve means it will be evident that the sensitivityof the spring may be adjusted and controlled by reason of the fact thatthe cup 36 and sleeve 34 may be telescoped that is adjusted lengthwiseto, in this manner adjust the spring tension.

Experience has shown that this injector can be used for an indefiniteperiod of time without leaking or splashing and without ermitting thefluid to splash back on the user. The amount of liquid to be dispensedis controlled by adjusting the valve means as already described. Theamount of liquid which is trapped in the cylinder 62 is dis charged whenthe cutting edge of the blade is thrust against the base of a tree.Since the valve means is responsive by its inertia to this thrust actionit will be evident that at the same time the measured amount of fluid isejected, the check valve 52 is momentarily unseated and consequently thereceptacle portion of the well (parts 34 and 36) is charged with fluid.The charge of fluid in the measuring cylinder 62 is maintained by vacuumuntil the next and succeeding thrust of the implement is made. Thus thevalve action is automatic.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in injecting fluid into a tree or the like; a manuallyactuatable tree injector comprising an elongated hollow barrel providinga fluid container and also a handle, a penetrating and cleaving bladedisposed in fixed relation to and projecting from the lower end of saidbarrel, said blade having a cutting edge and a fluid delivery passagewith an emitting port positioned for discharging fluid to said cuttingedge, a coupling sleeve directly and fixedly connected to the upper endof the blade and to the lower end of said barrel, and thrust-responsivevalve means directly mounted upon and carried by the upper end of theblade and partially housed within the confines of said coupling sleeve.

2. For use in injecting fluid into a tree or the like; a manuallyactuatable tree injector comprising an elongated hollow barrel providinga fluid container and also a handle, a penetrating and cleaving blade inaxial alinement with the lower end of said barrel, said blade having acutting edge and a fluid delivery passage with an emitting port adjacentsaid cutting edge, the lower end of said barrel being screw threaded,the upper portion of said blade having a screw threaded neck, a couplingsleeve having an upper screw threaded end engaged with the threads onsaid barrel and a screw threaded lower end engaged with said neck, saidneck being also internally screw threaded, and a valve assembly engagedwith and supported solely by the internal screw threads of said neck.

3. For use in injecting fluid into a tree or the like; a manuallyactuatable tree injector comprising an elongated barrel providing afluid container and also a handle, a penetrating and cleaving blade inaxial alinement with the lower leading end of said barrel, said bladehaving a cutting edge and a fluid delivery passage with an emitting portadjacent said cutting edge, the lower end of said barrel being screwthreaded, the upper portion of said blade having an externally screwthreaded neck, a coupling having an upper screw threaded end screwed onthe threads provided therefor on said barrel and a screw threaded lowerend screwed on the threads provided therefor on said neck, said neckbeing also internally screw threaded, and a valve assembly having ascrew threaded part screwed into the internal screw threads providedtherefor in said neck, said valve assembly including a fluid trappingand measuring well, a valve seat, a spring biased cylinder slidinglymounted in said well, and a ball check valve interposed between the seatand an adjacent upper end of said cylinder.

4. For use in injecting fluid into a tree or the like; a manuallyactuatable tree injector comprising an elongated barrel providing afluid container and also a handle, a penetrating and cleaving blade inaxial alinement with the lower leading end of said barrel, said bladehaving a cutting edge and a fluid delivery passage with an emitting portadjacent said cutting edge, the lower end of said barrel being screwthreaded, the upper portion of said blade having an externally screwthreaded neck, a coupling having an upper screw threaded end screwed onthe threads provided therefor on said barrel and a screw threaded lowerend screwed on the threads provided therefor on said neck, said neckbeing also internally screw threaded, and a valve assembly having ascrew threaded part screwed into the internal screw threads providedtherefor in said neck, said valve assembly including a fluid trappingand measuring well, a valve seat, a spring biased cylinder slidinglymounted in said Well,

and a ball check valve interposed between the seat and an adjacent upperend of said cylinder, said cylinder comprising an open-ended tube havingan intake holc intermediate the ends of the tube and a bell mouth at theupper end providing a supporting seat and retainer for the ball valve.

5. The structure defined in claim 4, and wherein said valve seat isadjustably mounted and said well comprises telescoping adjustablyconnected upper and lower component parts.

6. The structure defined in claim 5, and wherein said lower partcomprises a cup having a bottom opening through and beyond which thelower end of said tube extends.

7. For use in injecting fluid into a tree or the like; a manuallyactuatable tree injector comprising an elongated barrel providing afluid container and also a handle, a penetrating and cleaving blade inaxial alinement with the lower leading end of said barrel, said bladehaving a cutting edge and a fluid delivery passage with an emitting portadjacent said cutting edge, a coupling connecting the upper end of theblade directly to the leading end of said barrel, and thrust responsivevalve means carried by and removably mounted on the. upper portion ofsaid blade and comprising a well embodying a cup having an open ing atits bottom, a sleeve adjustably connected to the rim of the cup, a plugscrewed into the upper end of the sleeve and having a valve seat, anopen-ended tube having a lower end slidingly mounted in and projectingbelow said opening, said tube providing a fluid trapping and measuringcylinder and having an intake port between upper and lower ends, a ballvalve interposed between the upper end of the tube and said valve seat,and a thrust-responsive coil spring encircling said tube andspring-tensioning the upper end and said ball against said seat.

8. The structure defined in claim 7, and wherein said upper end isflared outwardly to define a bell mouth, the lower portion of said ballbeing seated in said bell mouth.

9. A manual tree injector comprising a vertically elongated barrelconstituting a handle and having a fluid chamber therein, said chamberopening at the lower end of said barrel, a hollow body fixedly securedto and depending from the lower end of said barrel and communieatingwith said chamber, a hollow member fixedly secure-d to and dependingfrom the lower end of said body, said member having a blade at its lowerend with a tree penetrating edge, passage means in said memberestablishing continuous communication with said blade adjacent saidpenetrating edge for delivering fluid to the latter from said hollowmember, an inertia operated valve assembly mounted upon and supportedsolely by said member and extending into said hollow body andcontrolling flow of fluid from said chamber to said penetrating edge.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said valve assembly includes acasing defining a fluid well therein, fluid inlet means in the upper endof said casing, a downwardly opening valve seat in said casing and insaid fluid inlet means, an upwardly closing valve in said casingcooperating with said valve seat, a spring yieldingly urging said valveupwardly upon said seat, said casing having discharge means fordelivering fluid passing said valve into said hollow member.

11. The combination of claim 10 including a tube slidably received insaid casing and extending downwardly through the lower end of the latterand constituting part of said discharge means, said tube having a portopening into said well and having an open lower end.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said tube engages and supportssaid ball valve.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said spring surrounds andengages said tube and yieldingly urges the latter upwardly.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said casing comprises a centralbody carried by said hollow body together with upper and lower elementssecured thereto, said inlet means extending through said upper elementand said discharge means extending through said lower element.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said elements are adjustableupon said central body whereby to vary the volume of the latter.

16. The combination of claim 9 wherein said valve assembly includes acasing defining a fluid well therein, fluid inlet means in the upper endof said casing, a downwardly opening valve seat in said casing and insaid fluid inlet means, an upwardly closing valve in said casingcooperating with said valve seat, a spring yieldingly urging said valveupwardly upon said seat, said casing hav- 6 ing discharge means fordelivering fluid passing said valve into said hollow member, said casingcomprising a central body carried by said hollow body together withupper and lower elements secured thereto, said inlet means extendingthrough said upper element and said discharge means extending throughsaid lower element.

'17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said elements are adjustableupon said central body whereby to vary the volume of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,687,598 Calhoun Aug. 31, 1954 2,795,899 Little June 18, 1957 2,870,576Parker Jan. 27, 1959

